Re: [CR]$$$ was re:Geezer

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

From: <Sid_Smith@baxter.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]$$$ was re:Geezer
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 12:04:25 -0600


Yeah -

I'm probably at least middle class, but still have my working class roots. Grew up in Decatur, IL (home of Firestone and product of the Decatur Public Schools, don't you have anything better to do Rev. Jackson?) Walked soybeans, picked tomatoes, and worked as a machine operator graveyard shift at Borg Warner (long gone), and as a machinist at Decatur Engineering Co while going to school (Millikin Univ.).

All of which was a strong incentive to get a good education. Which I overdid. B.S. Chemistry and Zoology. Masters equiv in Chemical and Biomed Engineering. Another post grad year in Biophysical Chemistry, and for true wretched excess, an M.B.A. So, I'm a Senior Engineering Specialist in the Advanced Engineering Design Center at Baxter Healthcare. I've got 20 something patents to date with a comparable number pending. You can see the problem here, long hours, good compensation, little life outside work. The upshot of being a product designer is truly appreciating good design when I see it, but having little patience for poor design (read "mass market').

Which leads to the classic content: This is the impetus for my love of classic bikes, especially track/fixed. These machines are the essence of simplicity, in my book the constitutes elegance. They stand the test of time and are as functional, and attractive, today as they were when they were built. Besides I love to restore things that other people have lost interest in. The cars, all purchased well used, are 1969 Volvo 1800 coupe (350 K mi), 1985 944 (146 K mi), 1987 944 Turbo (90 K mi), and mandatory cheap pickup truck (135 K mi).

- Sid